Flexible Indication for Start Position of Data Channel

ABSTRACT

A node (100) of a wireless communication network manages sending of control information to a radio device (10). For a first frequency band, the control information indicates a first start position for transmission of a data channel. For a second frequency band, the control information indicates a second start position for transmission of the data channel. Based on the first start position and the second start position, the node (100) controls transmission of data on the data channel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods of controlling radiotransmissions in a wireless communication network and to correspondingdevices and systems.

BACKGROUND

In wireless communication networks it is known to define data channelsto be used for conveying user plane data and control channels to be usedfor conveying control information, in particular control information forcontrolling transmissions on the data channels, such as resourceallocation information. For example, in the LTE (Long Term Evolution)technology as defined by 3GPP (3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project) aDL (downlink) control channel referred to as PDCCH (Physical DL ControlChannel) is used to convey DL control information to a UE (userequipment). The DL control information may for example include a DLassignment which indicates radio resources of a DL data channel,referred to as PDSCH (Physical DL Shared Channel), assigned to the UEfor a DL transmission of data. The DL control information may forexample include a UL (uplink) grant which indicates radio resources of aUL data channel, referred to as PUSCH (Physical UL Shared Channel),assigned to the UE for a UL transmission of data. The PDCCH providesdedicated radio resources for each UE and is transmitted in the first(one, two, three, or four) OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiplexing) symbols of a subframe, which is also referred to as“control region”. The PDSCH starts after the control region.

In 3GPP contribution “Remaining details for the PDSCH starting symbol inTM10” by Huawei and HiSilicon, document R1-124696, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1Meeting #71, New Orleans, USA, Nov. 12-16, 2012, it is suggested thatthe PDSCH can already start at symbol 0, i.e., the first OFDM symbol ofa subframe, and that utilization of this early start position can beindicated to the UE by RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling.

If only a single PDCCH (for one UE) is transmitted in the first OFDMsymbol(s) and this PDCCH schedules PDSCH transmissions of this UE, thePDSCH transmissions for this UE could thus start at the first OFDMsymbol of the subframe. Such a resource allocation is no problem becausethe UE decodes the PDCCH and thus knows its time-frequency location, andfrom the scheduling information contained in PDCCH the UE knows theregion of the time-frequency-grid which contains the PDSCHtransmissions. If this region (partly) overlaps with the PDCCH, the UEis aware of that and can deduce that radio resources actually used forthe PDSCH transmissions to be corresponding to the region indicated bythe scheduling information minus the overlapping PDCCH resources.Further, no problems should be expected if a further PDCCH (for anotherUE) is transmitted on radio resources that do not overlap with theregion of the time-frequency grid which contains the PDSCHtransmissions. However, in some situations it can be difficult orinefficient to avoid such overlap, specifically when also taking intoaccount that in the LTE technology the allocation of PDSCH radioresources is performed with a granularity of one PRB (Physical ResourceBlock).

Accordingly, there is a need for techniques which allow for efficientlycontrolling radio transmissions with respect to potential overlap ofradio resources used for transmission of a DL control channel and radioresources used for transmission of a DL data channel.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, a method of controllingradio transmission in a wireless communication network is provided.According to the method, a node of the wireless communication networkmanages sending of control information to a radio device. For a firstfrequency band, the control information indicates a first start positionfor transmission of a data channel. For a second frequency band, thecontrol information indicates a second start position for transmissionof the data channel. Based on the first start position and the secondstart position, the node controls transmission of data on the datachannel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a method ofcontrolling radio transmission in a wireless communication network isprovided. According to the method, a node of the wireless communicationnetwork determines potential interference of a data channel for a radiodevice and a DL control channel for a further radio device. Depending onthe potential interference, the node determines a start position of thedata channel. Further, the node manages sending of control informationto the radio device. The control information indicates the startposition of the data channel. Based on the start position, the nodecontrols transmission of data on the data channel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a method ofcontrolling radio transmission in a wireless communication network isprovided. According to the method, a radio device receives controlinformation from the wireless communication network. For a firstfrequency band, the control information indicates a first start positionfor transmission of a data channel. For a second frequency band, thecontrol information indicates a second start position for transmissionof the data channel. Based on the first start position and the secondstart position, the radio device receives data on the data channel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a node for awireless communication network is provided. The node is configured tomanage sending of control information to a radio device. For a firstfrequency band, the control information indicates a first start positionfor transmission of a data channel. For a second frequency band, thecontrol information indicates a second start position for transmissionof the data channel. Further, the node is configured to controltransmission of data based on the first start position and the secondstart position.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a node for awireless communication network is provided. The node is configured todetermine potential interference of a data channel for a radio deviceand a DL control channel for a further radio device. Further, the nodeis configured to determine a start position of the data channeldepending on the potential interference. Further, the node is configuredto manage sending of control information to the radio device. Thecontrol information indicates the start position of the data channel.Further, the node is configured to control transmission of data on thedata channel based on the start position.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a radio device isprovided. The radio device is configured to receive control informationfrom a wireless communication network. For a first frequency band, thecontrol information indicates a first start position for transmission ofa data channel. For a second frequency band, the control informationindicates a second start position for transmission of the data channel.Further, the radio device is configured to control receiving of data onthe data channel based on the first start position and the second startposition.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a system for awireless communication network is provided. The system comprises a nodeof the wireless communication network; and a radio device. The node isconfigured to manage sending of control information to a radio device.For a first frequency band, the control information indicates a firststart position for transmission of a data channel. For a secondfrequency band, the control information indicates a second startposition for transmission of the data channel. The radio device is beingconfigured to receive the control information and, based on the firststart position and the second start position, control receiving of dataon the data channel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a system for awireless communication network is provided. The system comprises a nodeof the wireless communication network; and a radio device. The node isconfigured to determine potential interference of a data channel for theradio device and a DL control channel for a further radio device.Further, the node is configured to determine a start position of thedata channel depending on the potential interference. Further, the nodeis configured to manage sending of control information to the radiodevice. The control information indicates the start position of the datachannel. The radio device is configured to control receiving of data onthe data channel based on the start position.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a computer programor computer program product is provided, e.g., in the form of anon-transitory storage medium, which comprises program code to beexecuted by at least one processor of a node of a wireless communicationnetwork. Execution of the program code causes the node to manage sendingof control information to a radio device. For a first frequency band,the control information indicates a first start position fortransmission of a data channel. For a second frequency band, the controlinformation indicates a second start position for transmission of thedata channel. Further, execution of the program code causes the node tocontrol transmission of data based on the first start position and thesecond start position.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a computer programor computer program product is provided, e.g., in the form of anon-transitory storage medium, which comprises program code to beexecuted by at least one processor of a node of a wireless communicationnetwork. Execution of the program code causes the node to determinepotential interference of a data channel for a radio device and a DLcontrol channel for a further radio device. Further, execution of theprogram code causes the node to determine a start position of the datachannel depending on the potential interference. Further, execution ofthe program code causes the node to manage sending of controlinformation to the radio device. The control information indicates thestart position of the data channel. Further, execution of the programcode causes the node to control transmission of data on the data channelbased on the start position.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a computer programor computer program product is provided, e.g., in the form of anon-transitory storage medium, which comprises program code to beexecuted by at least one processor of a radio device. Execution of theprogram code causes the radio device to receive control information froma wireless communication network. For a first frequency band, thecontrol information indicates a first start position for transmission ofa data channel. For a second frequency band, the control informationindicates a second start position for transmission of the data channel.Further, execution of the program code causes the radio device tocontrol receiving of data on the data channel based on the first startposition and the second start position.

Details of such embodiments and further embodiments will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a scenario in which radio transmissionsare controlled according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary resource allocation in which DL controlchannels and a data channel are configured according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further exemplary resource allocation in which DLcontrol channels and a data channel are configured according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further exemplary resource allocation in which DLcontrol channels and a data channel are configured according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further exemplary resource allocation in which DLcontrol channels and data channels are configured according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further exemplary resource allocation in which DLcontrol channels and a data channel are configured according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further exemplary resource allocation in which DLcontrol channels and a data channel are configured according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further exemplary resource allocation in which DLcontrol channels and data channels are configured according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further exemplary resource allocation in which DLcontrol channels and a data channel are configured according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart for schematically illustrating a methodperformed by a network node according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram for illustrating functionalities of anetwork node according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart for schematically illustrating a furthermethod performed by a network node according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram for illustrating functionalities of anetwork node according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart for schematically illustrating a methodperformed by a radio device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 shows a block diagram for illustrating functionalities of aradio device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates structures of a network node accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates structures of a radio device accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following, concepts in accordance with exemplary embodiments ofthe invention will be explained in more detail and with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments relate to control ofradio transmissions in a wireless communication network. The wirelesscommunication network may be based on various kinds of radio accesstechnology, e.g., a 4G (4^(th) Generation) radio access technology, suchas the LTE technology, or a 5G (5^(th) Generation) radio accesstechnology, such as an evolution of the LTE technology as one pillar anda new radio access technology (sometimes also referred to as “New Radio(NR)” radio access technology) as another pillar. In the illustratedconcepts, it is assumed that control of radio transmissions from thenetwork side is accomplished by transmitting DL control information on aDL control channel to a radio device. In the examples as illustrated inthe following, this DL control channel will be referred to as PDCCH(Physical DL Control Channel), without loss of generality. Datatransmissions are performed on a data channel. In the examples asillustrated in the following, this data channel will be referred to asPDCH (Physical Data Channel), without loss of generality. In theexamples as illustrated in the following, the radio device will also bereferred to as user equipment (UE), without loss of generality. It is tobe understood that such radio device may be any handheld device capableof wireless communication such as a cellular phone, tablet computer,modem, Universal Serial Bus (USB) dongle, laptop, or the like.

The radio transmissions are assumed to be performed on radio resourcesorganized in a time-frequency grid. The time-frequency grid definesresource elements which are each identified by a corresponding timeposition and frequency position. The frequency positions may correspondto different carrier frequencies arranged according to a predefinedfrequency raster, and the time positions may correspond to timeslotsarranged according to a predefined time raster. The radio transmissionsmay for example be based on OFDM, the carrier frequencies may correspondto OFDM subcarriers, and the timeslots may correspond to OFDM symbols.However, other kinds of multiplexing schemes could be utilized as well,e.g., FBMC (Filterbank Multicarrier) based schemes or precodedmulti-carrier schemes, such as DFTS-OFDM (Discrete Fourier TransformSingle Carrier OFDM), SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency DivisionMultiple Access), or precoded FBMC.

In the terminology as used in the following, it will be assumed that foreach UE there is a corresponding PDCCH and a corresponding PDCH, andthat the PDCCH is used for controlling data transmissions by the UE onthe PDCH, e.g., by sending scheduling information indicating allocationof radio resources of the PDCH. The PDCCH is assumed to be transmittedin the first modulation symbol(s) of a subframe or other kind of timeinterval defining a time domain granularity of transmitting controlinformation and/or data to the UEs. When utilizing the LTE radio accesstechnology, the PDCH may correspond to the PDSCH or a part thereof(e.g., radio resources of the PDSCH allocated to the given UE). It isnoted for the sake of completeness that the PDCCH may also carry controlinformation which is used to schedule transmission of data for the UE inan uplink (UL) direction, i.e., from the UE to the network. Such ULtransmission of data may be transmitted via an Physical Uplink DataChannel (PUDCH)

A start position of the PDCH, i.e., a start time position within thesubframe or TTI, may be indicated in a flexible manner to the UE. In agiven subframe, the PDCH may start immediately after the PDCCH. However,the PDCH may also start earlier, e.g., in the first modulation symbol ofthe subframe, or later, after a gap with respect to the end of thePDCCH. The start position may be controlled individually for each UE. Ifthe PDCH is transmitted in multiple frequency bands (in the followingalso referred to as subbands), the start position may also be controlledindividually for each frequency band. The start position may be setdepending on observed or expected interference of the PDCH with thePDCCH of one or more other UEs.

The start position of the PDCH may be indicated by includingcorresponding control information into the PDCCH. This controlinformation may for example indicate to the UE if the PDCH of the UEstarts at the beginning of the subframe or if it starts after the PDCCHof the UE. The control information may indicate the start position interms of a bit field or a single bit. For example, such bit or bit fieldcould be explicitly transmitted as data within the PDCCH or otherwiseencoded in the PDCCH. In some scenarios, the control information couldalso be indicated in an implicit manner, e.g., based on a frequencydomain position of the PDCCH, or be derived from other controlinformation conveyed by the PDCCH, e.g., from radio resources allocatedby scheduling information conveyed on the PDCH. Further, the startposition could also be indicated by a bit mask used to scramble the CRC(Cyclic Redundancy Check) of the PDCCH. A single bit of the controlinformation could indicate if the PDCH starts at the beginning of thesubframe or after the received PDCCH. For example, a bit value of 0could indicate that the PDCH starts at subframe beginning, i.e., in thefirst modulation symbol, and a bit value of 1 could indicate that thePDCH starts after the received PDCCH, which means that there would be nooverlap of the PDCH and the and the PDCCH. If the start position iscontrolled individually for each frequency band, the control informationincludes a corresponding bit value or any one of the aforementionedindications for each frequency band.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary scenario in which the concepts as outlinedabove may be applied. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates UEs 10, 11 and anaccess node 100. The access node 100 may correspond to a base station,such as an eNB (“evolved Node B”) of the LTE radio technology or similarradio access point of a 5G radio technology. The UEs 10, 11 are assumedto be located in a coverage region served the access node 100. Suchcoverage region may also be referred to as a “cell”. It is noted thatthe wireless communication network may actually provide a plurality ofaccess nodes, each serving a corresponding coverage region, and that theUEs 10, 11 or other UEs may move between these different coverageregions and thus connect to the wireless communication network viadifferent access nodes.

For controlling data transmissions from or to the UEs 10, 11 a firstPDCCH (PDCCH1) is configured from the access node 100 to the UE 10, anda second PDCCH (PDCCH2) is configured from the access node 100 to the UE11. Further, a first PDCH (PDCH1) is configured for DL datatransmissions from the access node 100 to the UE 10, and a second PDCH(PDCH2) is configured for DL data transmissions from the access node 100to the UE 11. The PDCCHs are used to convey DL control information fromthe access node 100 to the respective UE 10, 11. This DL controlinformation may have the purpose of controlling DL data transmissions onthe PDCHs. The DL control information may for example include a DLscheduling assignment (DL SA) to the UE 10, 11. The DL schedulingassignment may indicate radio resources of the PDCH which are used for aDL data transmission to the UE 10, 11.

The first PDCCH (PDCCH1) is transmitted on radio resources which arededicated to the first UE 10, and the second PDCCH (PDCCH2) istransmitted on radio resources which are dedicated to the second UE 11,e.g., on different subcarriers. The first UE 10 will therefore monitorthe radio resources of the first PDCCH (PDCCH1), but not of the secondPDCCH (PDCCH2), while the second UE will monitor the radio resources ofthe second PDCCH (PDCCH2), but not of the first PDCCH (PDCCH1). Bysending a PDCH start indication to the first UE 10, the access node 100can flexibly control at which modulation symbol of the subframe thefirst PDCH (PDCH1) starts. In this way, it can be avoided that radioresources where the first UE 10 expects transmission of the first PDCH(PDCH1) overlap with radio resources where the access node 100 actuallytransmits the second PDCCH (PDCCH2). On the other hand, it can beallowed that radio resources where the first UE 10 expects transmissionof the first PDCH (PDCH1) overlap with radio resources where the accessnode 100 actually transmits the first PDCCH (PDCCH1), because the firstUE 10 is aware of the latter radio resources and those for example maydisregard these radio resources when decoding a DL transmission on thefirst PDCH (PDCH1). Accordingly, even if a DL SA received on the firstPDCCH (PDCCH1) indicates radio resources of the first PDCH (PDCH1) whichoverlap with the radio resources used for transmission of the firstPDCCH (PDCCH1), the UE 10 will be able to determine that the radioresources which will be actually used for a radio transmission on thefirst PDCH (PDCH1) will be the radio resources indicated by the DL SAexcept for the radio resources configured for transmission of the firstPDCCH (PDCCH1). It is noted that while FIG. 1 shows sending of the PDCHstart indication only for the first UE 10, a corresponding PDCH startindication could of course also be transmitted to the second UE 11.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of how the first PDCCH (PDCCH1), thesecond PDCCH (PDCCH2), and the first PDCH (PDCH1) may be mapped toresource elements of the time-frequency grid. In the example of FIG. 2,OFDM modulation using a plurality of subcarriers from a first frequencyband (referred to as “Subband 1”) and a second frequency band (referredto as “Subband 2”) is assumed. The time-frequency grid defines aplurality of resource elements which each correspond to one subcarrierin the frequency (f) domain and a certain OFDM symbol in the time (t)domain. Scheduling and/or other control of transmissions is assumed tobe accomplished on a per subframe basis. In the illustrated example, asubframe is formed of seven consecutive OFDM symbols (symbol #0 tosymbol #6).

In the example of FIG. 2, the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) and the second PDCCH(PDCCH2) are transmitted in the first OFDM symbol (symbol #0) of thesubframe and in the first frequency band (Subband 1). In the firstfrequency band, the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts after the first PDCCH(PDCCH1) and the second PDCCH (PDCCH2). Accordingly, there is no overlapof radio resources assigned to the first PDCH (PDCH1) with radioresources assigned to the second PDCCH (PDCCH2). In the second frequencyband, where neither the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) and the second PDCCH(PDCCH2) is transmitted, the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts already in thefirst OFDM symbol (symbol #0). Accordingly, in the second frequency bandalso the first OFDM symbol can be utilized for transmission of the firstPDCH (PDCH1).

To obtain the mapping as illustrated in FIG. 2, the access node 100 maysend control information to the first UE 10 which includes a first bitvalue for the first frequency band, which indicates that in the firstfrequency band the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts after the first PDCCH(PDCCH1) (e.g., the bit value 1 as defined above), and a second bitvalue for the second frequency band, which indicate that in the secondfrequency band the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts in the first OFDM symbol ofthe subframe (e.g., the bit value 0 as defined above). The access node100 may transmit this control information on the first PDCCH (PDCCH1).For example, a bit field of two bits could be used to indicate the startposition of the PDCH individually for the first frequency band and thesecond frequency band. A bit field “00” could indicate that the PDCHstarts at the beginning of the subframe in both frequency bands, a bitfield “01” could indicate that in the first frequency band the PDCHstarts at the beginning of the subframe and in the second frequency bandthe PDCH starts after the first OFDM symbol, a bit field “10” couldindicate that in the first frequency band the PDCH starts after thefirst OFDM symbol and in the second frequency band the PDCH starts atthe beginning of the subframe after the first OFDM symbol, and a bitfield “11” could indicate that the PDCH starts after the first OFDMsymbol in both frequency bands. Corresponding rules for interpreting thebit field could be preconfigured in the UE or can be signaled to the UEfrom the network.

The above-mentioned way of indicating the start position of the PDCHindividually for each frequency band may be extended to more than twofrequency bands, e.g., by using one bit value per frequency band. Toavoid signaling overhead in scenarios with many frequency bands,frequency bands with the same start position (either the frequency bandswhere the PDCH starts at the beginning of the subframe or the frequencybands where the PDCH starts after the first OFDM symbol) can berestricted to be contiguous. A further reduction of overhead can beachieved by restricting the contiguous allocation of PDCH resources tostart either at the first frequency band (e.g., at the lowest availablefrequency) or end at the last frequency band (e.g., at the highestavailable frequency). The allocation of contiguous radio resources canbe implemented in an efficient manner by indicating a starting resourceblock and the size of the contiguous resource allocation in terms of anumber of resource blocks.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further example of how the first PDCCH (PDCCH1),the second PDCCH (PDCCH2), and the first PDCH (PDCH1) may be mapped toresource elements of the time-frequency grid. In the example of FIG. 3,the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) and the second PDCCH (PDCCH2) are transmittedin the first OFDM symbol (symbol #0) of the subframe (in the samefrequency band or in different frequency bands). As illustrated, thefirst PDCH (PDCH1) starts in the first OFDM symbol of the subframe andthe radio resources assigned to the first PDCH (PDCH1) overlap with theradio resources used for transmitting the first PDCCH (PDCCH1), but notwith the radio resources used for transmitting the second PDCCH(PDCCH2). As mentioned above, this overlap situation can be handled bythe first UE 10 because the first UE 10 is aware of the radio resourceswhich are used for transmitting the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) and thusconclude that these radio resources will not be used by the access node100 for sending a DL data transmission on the first PDCH (PDCH1).Accordingly, an effective resource region of the first PDCH (PDCH1) mayhave a non-rectangular shape and consist of the radio resources assignedto the first UE 10 by a DL SA transmitted on the first PDCCH (PDCCH1)(which typically may correspond to a rectangular resource region formedof one or more physical resource blocks) except for the overlappingradio resources used for transmission of the first PDCCH (PDCCH1).

To obtain the mapping as illustrated in FIG. 3, the access node 100 maysend control information to the first UE 10 which includes a bit valuewhich indicates that the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts in the first OFDMsymbol of the subframe (e.g., the bit value 0 as defined above). Theaccess node 100 may transmit this control information on the first PDCCH(PDCCH1). It is noted that in the case of utilizing multiple frequencybands for transmitting the first PDCH (PDCH1), corresponding controlinformation could be transmitted for each of the frequency bands.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further example of how the first PDCCH (PDCCH1),the second PDCCH (PDCCH2), and the first PDCH (PDCH1) may be mapped toresource elements of the time-frequency grid. In the example of FIG. 4,the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) and the second PDCCH (PDCCH2) are transmittedin the first OFDM symbol (symbol #0) of the subframe (in the samefrequency band or in different frequency bands). As illustrated, thefirst PDCH (PDCH1) starts after the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) and the secondPDCCH (PDCCH2), to avoid overlap of the radio resources assigned to thefirst PDCH (PDCH1) with the radio resources used for transmitting thesecond PDCCH (PDCCH2).

To obtain the mapping as illustrated in FIG. 4, the access node 100 maysend control information to the first UE 10 which includes a bit valuewhich indicates the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts after the first PDCCH(PDCCH1) (e.g., the bit value 1 as defined above). The access node 100may transmit this control information on the first PDCCH (PDCCH1). It isnoted that in the case of utilizing multiple frequency bands fortransmitting the first PDCH (PDCH1), corresponding control informationcould be transmitted for each of the frequency bands.

FIG. 5 illustrates a more complex example which shows how the firstPDCCH (PDCCH1), the second PDCCH (PDCCH2), the first PDCH (PDCH1), andthe second PDCH (PDCH2) may be mapped to resource elements of thetime-frequency grid. In the example of FIG. 5, the first PDCCH (PDCCH1)and the second PDCCH (PDCCH2) are transmitted in the first OFDM symbol(symbol #0) of the subframe (in the same frequency band or in differentfrequency bands). As illustrated, the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts in thefirst OFDM symbol of the subframe and the radio resources assigned tothe first PDCH (PDCH1) overlap with the radio resources used fortransmitting the first PDCCH (PDCCH1), but not with the radio resourcesused for transmitting the second PDCCH (PDCCH2). As mentioned above,this overlap situation can be handled by the first UE 10 because thefirst UE 10 is aware of the radio resources which are used fortransmitting the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) and thus conclude that these radioresources will not be used by the access node 100 for sending a DL datatransmission on the first PDCH (PDCH1). Accordingly, an effectiveresource region of the first PDCH (PDCH1) may have a non-rectangularshape and consist of the radio resources assigned to the first UE 10 bya DL SA transmitted on the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) (which typically maycorrespond to a rectangular resource region formed of one or morephysical resource blocks) minus the overlapping radio resources used fortransmission of the first PDCCH (PDCCH1). The second PDCH starts afterthe first PDCCH (PDCCH1) and the second PDCCH (PDCCH2), to avoid overlapof the radio resources assigned to the second PDCH (PDCH2) with theradio resources used for transmitting the first PDCCH (PDCCH1).

To obtain the mapping as illustrated in FIG. 5, the access node 100 maysend control information to the first UE 10, e.g., on the first PDCCH(PDCCH1), which includes a bit value which indicates that the first PDCH(PDCH1) starts in the first OFDM symbol of the subframe (e.g., the bitvalue 0 as defined above), and send control information to the second UE11, e.g., on the second PDCCH (PDCCH2), which indicates that the secondPDCH (PDCH2) starts after the second PDCCH (PDCCH2), e.g., the bit value1 as defined above. It is noted that in the case of utilizing multiplefrequency bands for transmitting the first PDCH (PDCH1), correspondingcontrol information could be transmitted for each of the frequencybands.

As can be seen, in the example of FIG. 5 the start position of the PDCHcan be defined individually for each of the UEs 10, 11 by sendingdifferent configurations information to the UEs.

In the above examples, the PDCCH extends over one OFDM symbol and istransmitted in the first OFDM symbol of the subframe. However, it isnoted that the illustrated concepts may be applied in a correspondingmanner to situations in which the PDCCH extends over more OFDM symbols(e.g., over two or three OFDM symbols) or is transmitted at a laterposition within the subframe (e.g., starting at the second or third OFDMsymbol of the subframe). In this case, the control information used forindicating the start position of the PDCH of a given UE could forexample define whether or not the PDCH starts at a position which avoidsoverlap with the radio resources of the PDCCH of this UE, e.g., afterthe PDCCH of this UE. For example, a bit value of 0 could indicate thatthe PDCH starts at a position which causes the PDCH to overlap with theradio resources of the PDCCH of this UE, e.g., at the same symbol as oreven earlier than the PDCCH of the UE, and a bit value of 1 couldindicate that the PDCH starts at a position which avoids overlap of thePDCH with the radio resources of the PDCCH of the UE, e.g., after thePDCCH of the UE.

In some scenarios, the PDCCHs of different UEs could have differentextensions. This may have the effect that the PDCCHs of different UEsend at different positions. A corresponding example is illustrated inFIG. 6, where the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) extends over only the first OFDMsymbol of the subframe and the second PDCCH (PDCCH2) extends over thefirst two OFDM symbols of the subframe. In this case, the controlinformation indicating the start position could indicate whether thePDCH starts at the first OFDM symbol of the subframe are after thelongest PDCCH, in the example of FIG. 6 the second PDCCH (PDCCH2). Forexample, a bit value of 0 could indicate that the PDCH starts at thebeginning of the subframe, and a bit value of 1 could indicate that thePDCH starts after the longest possible PDCCH. Information concerning thelongest possible extension the longest PDCCH could be preconfigured inthe UE or configured in the UE by signaling from the network.

In the example of FIG. 6, the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts after the secondPDCCH (PDCCH2), which is assumed to have the longest possible extension.In this way, overlap of the radio resources assigned to the first PDCH(PDCH1) with the radio resources used for transmitting the second PDCCH(PDCCH2) is avoided.

To obtain the mapping as illustrated in FIG. 6, the access node 100 maysend control information to the first UE 10 which includes a bit valuewhich indicates that the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts after the longestpossible PDCCH (e.g., the bit value 1 as defined above). The access node100 may transmit this control information on the first PDCCH (PDCCH1).It is noted that in the case of utilizing multiple frequency bands fortransmitting the first PDCH (PDCH1), corresponding control informationcould be transmitted for each of the frequency bands.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further example which is similar to the example ofFIG. 6. Also in this example the longest possible extension of the PDCCHis assumed to be two OFDM symbols. However, in this case both the firstPDCCH (PDCCH1) and the second PDCCH (PDCCH2) extend over only the firstOFDM symbol of the subframe and thus are shorter than the longestpossible extension. Nonetheless, the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts after thelongest possible extension, in the third OFDM symbol (symbol #2). As canbe seen, this resource allocation results in radio resources of thesubframe being left unused. To avoid such situations, the start positionof the PDCH could be indicated with a finer granularity, e.g., by usinga bit field of two or more bits (for each frequency band). When forexample assuming a scenario where the longest possible extension of thePDCCH is three OFDM symbols, which means that the extension of the PDCHcould be one OFDM symbol, two OFDM symbols, three OFDM symbols, a bitfield “00” could indicate that the PDCH starts at the beginning of thesubframe, a bit field “01” could indicate that the PDCH starts after thefirst OFDM symbol, a bit field “10” could indicate that the PDCH startsafter the second OFDM symbol, and a bit field “11” could indicate thatthe PDCH starts after the third OFDM symbol. Corresponding rules forinterpreting the bit field could be preconfigured in the UE or can besignaled to the UE from the network.

It is noted that the above-mentioned ways of addressing PDCCH extensionswhich differ from UE to UE may also be applied to scenarios wheredifferent end positions of the PDCCH result from the PDCCH notnecessarily starting at the first OFDM symbol of the subframe.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further example of how the first PDCCH (PDCCH1),the second PDCCH (PDCCH2), a third PDCCH (PDCCH3) of a still further UE,the first PDCH (PDCH1), and the second PDCH (PDCH2) may be mapped toresource elements of the time-frequency grid in a scenario involvingsubframe aggregation. In the case of subframe aggregation, the PDCCHtransmitted in a first subframe is used for controlling radiotransmissions on the PDCH not only in this subframe, but also in one ormore subsequent subframes. In the example of FIG. 8, the first PDCH(PDCH1) is transmitted in a first subframe (subframe # X) and asubsequent subframe (subframe # X+1) and controlled by the first PDCCH(PDCCH1), which is transmitted only in the first subframe. Similar tothe scenario of FIG. 2, the first PDCH (PDCH1) is transmitted in a firstfrequency band (Subband 1) and a second frequency band (Subband 2). Thesecond PDCCH (PDCCH2) is transmitted in the first subframe and the firstfrequency band and controls radio transmissions on the second PDCH(PDCH2), which is transmitted only in the first subframe and the firstfrequency band. The third PDCCH is transmitted in the subsequentsubframe and the first frequency band and is illustrated without acorresponding PDCH. For example, the third PDCCH could be used forsending a UL grant.

In the example of FIG. 8, the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) and the second PDCCH(PDCCH2) are transmitted in the first OFDM symbol (symbol #0) of thefirst subframe. The third PDCCH is transmitted in the first OFDM symbol(symbol #0) of the subsequent subframe. In the first frequency band, thefirst PDCH (PDCH1) starts after the second PDCCH (PDCCH2). Accordingly,there is no overlap of radio resources assigned to the first PDCH(PDCH1) with radio resources assigned to the second PDCCH (PDCCH2). Asfurther illustrated, in the first frequency band the first PDCH (PDCH1)is scheduled on other frequency resources than the third PDCCH.Accordingly, there is no overlap of radio resources assigned to thefirst PDCH (PDCH1) with radio resources assigned to the third PDCCH. Inthe second frequency band, the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts already in thefirst OFDM symbol (symbol #0) and the radio resources assigned to thefirst PDCH (PDCH1) overlap with the radio resources used fortransmitting the first PDCCH (PDCCH1). This overlap situation can behandled by the first UE 10 because the first UE 10 is aware of the radioresources which are used for transmitting the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) andthus conclude that these radio resources will not be used by the accessnode 100 for sending a DL data transmission on the first PDCH (PDCH1).

To obtain the mapping as illustrated in FIG. 8, the access node 100 maysend control information to the first UE 10 which includes a first bitvalue for the first frequency band, which indicates that in the firstfrequency band the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts after the first PDCCH(PDCCH1) (e.g., the bit value 1 as defined above), and a second bitvalue for the second frequency band, which indicate that in the secondfrequency band the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts in the first OFDM symbol ofthe subframe (e.g., the bit value 0 as defined above). The access node100 may transmit this control information on the first PDCCH (PDCCH1),e.g., using a bit field as explained in connection with FIG. 2.

The access node 100 may apply various considerations when selecting thestart position of the PDCH which is indicated to the UE 10, 11. In thisway, configuration of the PDCCHs and scheduling of the PDCHs may becoordinated in an efficient manner. In many scenarios, the access node100 may aim at avoiding overlap of the radio resources assigned to thePDCH of one UE with the radio resources used for transmission of thePDCCH of another UE. However, in some situations the access node 100 mayalso select a start position of the PDCH which causes the radioresources assigned to the PDCH of one UE to overlap with the radioresources used for transmission of the PDCCH of another UE. An exampleof a corresponding mapping of the first PDCCH (PDCCH1), the second PDCCH(PDCCH2), and the first PDCH (PDCH1) is illustrated in FIG. 9. In theexample of FIG. 9, the first PDCCH (PDCCH1) and the second PDCCH(PDCCH2) are transmitted in the first OFDM symbol (symbol #0) of thesubframe (in the same frequency band or in different frequency bands).As illustrated, the first PDCH (PDCH1) starts in the first OFDM symbolof the subframe and the radio resources assigned to the first PDCH(PDCH1) overlap with the radio resources used for transmitting the firstPDCCH (PDCCH1) and also with the radio resources used for transmittingthe second PDCCH (PDCCH2). The access node 100 may determine that thisoverlap situation is acceptable and indicate the start position of thefirst PDCH (PDCH1) accordingly, e.g., by sending control information tothe first UE 10 which includes a bit value which indicates that thefirst PDCH (PDCH1) starts in the first OFDM symbol of the subframe(e.g., the bit value 0 as defined above). The access node 100 may alsocontrol transmission parameters of the first PDCH (PDCH1) and/or of thesecond PDCCH (PDCCH2) in such a way that the interference is kept belowthe threshold, e.g., by selection of beamforming configurations,selection of a (robust) modulation and coding scheme, and/or adjustmentof transmitter power.

The criteria applied by the access node 100 for assessing whether theoverlap of the first PDCH (PDCH1) with the second PDCCH (PDCCH2) isacceptable may for example consider spatial separation of the UEs 10, 11and/or beamforming configurations applied by the UEs 10, 11. Forexample, if due to spatial separation and/or beamforming interference ofthe second PDCCH (PDCCH2) with the first PDCH (PDCH1) is estimated to bebelow a threshold, so that the UE 10 can decode the first PDCH (PDCH1),the access node 100 may decide that the overlap is acceptable andindicate the start position of the first PDCH (PDCH1) accordingly.

In the above examples, it was assumed that the PDCH is used for DL datatransmissions from the access node 100 to the UE 10. However, it isnoted that the illustrated concept could be applied in a correspondingmanner to scenarios where the PDCH is used for a wireless self-backhaulconnection (e.g., from one access node to another access node) or for adevice-to-device connection (e.g., from one UE to another UE).

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method of controlling radiotransmissions in a wireless communication network. The method of FIG. 10may be utilized for implementing the illustrated concepts in a node ofthe wireless communication network, e.g., in an access node, such as theabove-mentioned access node 100. If a processor-based implementation ofthe node is used, the steps of the method may be performed by one ormore processors of the node. In such a case the node may furthercomprise a memory in which program code for implementing the belowdescribed functionalities is stored.

At optional step 1010, the node may determine a first start position ofa data channel of a radio device in a first frequency band and a secondstart position of the data channel in a second frequency band. The radiodevice may for example be a UE, such as the UE 10. The data channel mayfor example be a DL data channel, such as the PDCH in the examples ofFIGS. 2 to 9. However, other kinds of data channel could be used aswell, e.g., a data channel as a wireless backhaul connection between twoaccess nodes of the wireless communication network or a data channel ofa device-to-device connection. At least one of the first start positionand the second start position may correspond to a first modulationsymbol of a subframe, such as illustrated in the examples of FIGS. 2, 3,5, 8, and 9.

Determining the first start position and the second start position mayinvolve that the first start position and the second start position areselected depending on a time-frequency position of a DL control channelfor transmission of DL control information to at least one further radiodevice. This selection may be performed by the node. The further radiodevice may for example be a UE, such as the UE 11. The first startposition and the second start position may be selected to avoid overlapof the data channel with the DL control channel, e.g., as shown in theexamples of FIGS. 2 to 8. Alternatively, the first start position andthe second start position may be selected to allow overlap of the datachannel with the DL control channel, e.g., as shown in the example ofFIG. 9. The decision whether or not to allow the overlap may be based onpotential interference between the data channel and the DL controlchannel. In some scenarios, the node may also control the transmissionof the data on the data channel depending on potential interferencebetween the data channel and the DL control channel. For example, thismay involve adjusting transmission parameters, such as beamforming,modulation and coding scheme, or transmit power, in such a way that thepotential interference is kept below a threshold and the overlap of thedata channel with the DL control channel can be allowed.

At step 1020, the node manages sending of control information to a radiodevice. The control information indicates the first start position fortransmission of the data channel and the second start position fortransmission of the data channel. For example, the first start positionand the second start position may have been determined by the accessnode at step 1010. However, the first start position or second startposition may also be determined in another way, e.g., indicated byanother node of the wireless communication network. The operation ofmanaging sending of the control information may involve actually sendingthe control information. However, in some cases the operation ofmanaging sending of the control information may also involve decidingnot to send the control information. For example, the controlinformation could only be sent if the first start position or the secondstart position deviates from a default start position.

The control information may indicate the first start position and thesecond start position in relation to an end of a DL control channel.This may be a DL control channel from the wireless communication networkto the radio device. Further, this could be an estimated end position ofany other DL control channel, e.g., estimated based on the longestpossible extension of a DL control channel and/or latest possible startof a DL control channel. For example, the control information mayindicate that the start position is immediately after the end of the DLcontrol channel or a certain number of modulation symbols before orafter the end of the DL control channel. Further, the controlinformation may indicate the first start position and the second startposition in terms of a selection from a set of multiple start positions.For example, the set of multiple start positions may include two or morepredefined start positions which may be identified by a bit value or bitfield included in the control information, e.g., as explained inconnection with the example of FIG. 7. The predefined start positionscan be adjacent, as explained in connection with the example of FIG. 7,but non-adjacent start positions could be utilized as well. In somescenarios, the control information consists of one indicator bit perfrequency band. However, the control information could also consist oftwo or more indicator bits per frequency band. The control informationmay be transmitted on a DL control channel to the radio device. Thecontrol information may be specific to the radio device. Accordingly,the first start position and the second start position may be indicatedindividually for each radio device.

At step 1030, the node controls transmission of data on the datachannel. This action is performed based on the first start position andthe second start position. For example, this may involve that in thefirst frequency band the node starts mapping data to the data channelfrom the first start position, while in the second frequency band thenode starts mapping data to the data channel from the second startposition.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram for illustrating functionalities of a node1100 for a wireless communication network. The node 1100 is assumed tooperate according to the method of FIG. 10. As illustrated, the node1100 may optionally be provided with a module 1110 configured todetermine a first start position and a second start position, such asexplained in connection with step 1010. Further, the node 1100 may beprovided with a module 1120 configured to manage sending of controlinformation, such as explained in connection with step 1020. Further,the node 1100 may be provided with a module 1130 configured to controltransmission of data, such as explained in connection with step 1030.

It is noted that the node 1100 may include further modules forimplementing other functionalities, such as known functionalities of anaccess node, such as an eNB of LTE technology. Further, it is noted thatthe modules of the node 1100 do not necessarily represent a hardwarestructure of the node 1100, but may also correspond to functionalelements, e.g., implemented by hardware, software, or a combinationthereof.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart for illustrating a further method ofcontrolling radio transmissions in a wireless communication network. Themethod of FIG. 12 may be utilized for implementing the illustratedconcepts in a node of the wireless communication network, e.g., in anaccess node, such as the above-mentioned access node 100. If aprocessor-based implementation of the node is used, the steps of themethod may be performed by one or more processors of the node. In such acase the node may further comprise a memory in which program code forimplementing the below described functionalities is stored.

At step 1210, the node determines potential interference of a datachannel for a radio device and a DL control channel for a further radiodevice. The radio devices may for example be UEs, such as the UE 10 andthe UE 11. The radio device may for example be a UE, such as the UE 10.The data channel may for example be a DL data channel, such as the PDCHin the examples of FIGS. 2 to 9. However, other kinds of data channelcould be used as well, e.g., a data channel as a wireless backhaulconnection between two access nodes of the wireless communicationnetwork or a data channel of a device-to-device connection.

At step 1220, the node determines a start position of the data channel.This action is performed depending on the potential interferencedetermined at step 1210. In some scenarios, the node may also determinemultiple positions of the data channel, e.g., one start positionfrequency band.

The start position may correspond to a first modulation symbol of asubframe, such as illustrated in the examples of FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 8, and9. The start position may be selected depending on a time-frequencyposition of a DL control channel for transmission of DL controlinformation to at least one further radio device. The further radiodevice may for example be a UE, such as the UE 11. The start positionmay be selected to avoid overlap of the data channel with the DL controlchannel, e.g., as shown in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 8. Alternatively,the start position may be selected to allow overlap of the data channelwith the DL control channel, e.g., as shown in the example of FIG. 9.The decision whether or not to allow the overlap may be based onpotential interference between the data channel and the DL controlchannel. In some scenarios, the node may also control the transmissionof the data on the data channel depending on potential interferencebetween the data channel and the DL control channel. For example, thismay involve adjusting transmission parameters, such as beamforming,modulation and coding scheme, or transmit power, in such a way that thepotential interference is kept below a threshold and the overlap of thedata channel with the DL control channel can be allowed.

At step 1230, the node manages sending of control information to theradio device. The control information indicates the start position ofthe data channel. The operation of managing sending of the controlinformation may involve actually sending the control information.However, in some cases the operation of managing sending of the controlinformation may also involve deciding not to send the controlinformation. For example, the control information could only be sent ifthe start position deviates from a default start position.

The control information may indicate the start position in relation toan end of a DL control channel. This may be a DL control channel fromthe wireless communication network to the radio device. Further, thiscould be an estimated end position of any other DL control channel,e.g., estimated based on the longest possible extension of a DL controlchannel and/or latest possible start of a DL control channel. Forexample, the control information may indicate that the start position isimmediately after the end of the DL control channel or a certain numberof modulation symbols before or after the end of the DL control channel.Further, the control information may indicate the start position interms of a selection from a set of multiple start positions. Forexample, the set of multiple start positions may include two or morepredefined start positions which may be identified by a bit value or bitfield included in the control information, e.g., as explained inconnection with the example of FIG. 7. The predefined start positionscan be adjacent, as explained in connection with the example of FIG. 7,but non-adjacent start positions could be utilized as well. In somescenarios, the control information consists of one indicator bit perfrequency band. However, the control information could also consist oftwo or more indicator bits per frequency band. The control informationmay be transmitted on a DL control channel to the radio device.

The control information may be specific to the radio device.Accordingly, the start position may be indicated individually for eachradio device. Further, the indicated start position may be specific toone of multiple frequency bands utilized by the radio device.Accordingly, an individual start position may be indicated for eachfrequency band used for transmission of the data channel.

At step 1240, the node controls transmission of data on the datachannel. This is accomplished based on the start position determined atstep 1220. For example, this may involve that the node starts mappingdata to the data channel from the start position.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram for illustrating functionalities of a node1300 for a wireless communication network. The node 1100 is assumed tooperate according to the method of FIG. 12. As illustrated, the node1300 may be provided with a module 1310 configured determineinterference, such as explained in connection with step 1210. Further,the node 1300 may be provided with a module 1320 configured to determineone or more start positions, such as explained in connection with step1220. Further, the node 1300 may be provided with a module 1330configured to manage sending of control information, such as explainedin connection with step 1230. Further, the node 1300 may be providedwith a module 1340 configured to control transmission of data, such asexplained in connection with step 1240.

It is noted that the node 1300 may include further modules forimplementing other functionalities, such as known functionalities of anaccess node, such as an eNB of LTE technology. Further, it is noted thatthe modules of the node 1300 do not necessarily represent a hardwarestructure of the node 1300, but may also correspond to functionalelements, e.g., implemented by hardware, software, or a combinationthereof.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart for illustrating a further method ofcontrolling radio transmissions in a wireless communication network. Themethod of FIG. 14 may be utilized for implementing the illustratedconcepts in radio device, e.g., in a UE, such as the UE 10. If aprocessor-based implementation of the radio device is used, the steps ofthe method may be performed by one or more processors of the radiodevice. In such a case the radio device may further comprise a memory inwhich program code for implementing the below described functionalitiesis stored.

At optional step 1410, the radio device receives control information.The control information may be received from a node of the wirelesscommunication network, e.g., from an access node, such as the accessnode 100. The control information indicates a first start position of adata channel of the radio device in a first frequency band and a secondstart position of the data channel in a second frequency band. The datachannel may for example be a DL data channel, such as the PDCH in theexamples of FIGS. 2 to 9. However, other kinds of data channel could beused as well, e.g., a data channel as a wireless backhaul connectionbetween two access nodes of the wireless communication network or a datachannel of a device-to-device connection. At least one of the firststart position and the second start position may correspond to a firstmodulation symbol of a subframe, such as illustrated in the examples ofFIGS. 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9.

The first start position and the second start position may be selecteddepending on a time-frequency position of a DL control channel fortransmission of DL control information to at least one further radiodevice. The further radio device may for example be a UE, such as the UE11. The first start position and the second start position may beselected to avoid overlap of the data channel with the DL controlchannel, e.g., as shown in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 8. Alternatively,the first start position and the second start position may be selectedto allow overlap of the data channel with the DL control channel, e.g.,as shown in the example of FIG. 9.

The control information may indicate the first start position and thesecond start position in relation to an end of a DL control channel.This may be a DL control channel from the wireless communication networkto the radio device. Further, this could be an estimated end position ofany other DL control channel, e.g., estimated based on the longestpossible extension of a DL control channel and/or latest possible startof a DL control channel. For example, the control information mayindicate that the start position is immediately after the end of the DLcontrol channel or a certain number of modulation symbols before orafter the end of the DL control channel. Further, the controlinformation may indicate the first start position and the second startposition in terms of a selection from a set of multiple start positions.For example, the set of multiple start positions may include two or morepredefined start positions which may be identified by a bit value or bitfield included in the control information, e.g., as explained inconnection with the example of FIG. 7. The predefined start positionscan be adjacent, as explained in connection with the example of FIG. 7,but non-adjacent start positions could be utilized as well. In somescenarios, the control information consists of one indicator bit perfrequency band. However, the control information could also consist oftwo or more indicator bits per frequency band. The control informationmay be transmitted on a DL control channel to the radio device. Thecontrol information may be specific to the radio device. Accordingly,the first start position and the second start position may be indicatedindividually for each radio device.

At step 1430, the radio device controls receiving of data on the datachannel. This action is performed based on the first start position andthe second start position indicated by the control information. Forexample, this may involve that in the first frequency band the radiodevice starts monitoring of radio resources of a TTI and/or decoding ofsignals received on radio resources of the TTI from the first startposition, while in the second frequency band the radio device startsmonitoring of radio resources of a TTI and/or decoding of signalsreceived on radio resources of the TTI from the second start position.

FIG. 15 shows a block diagram for illustrating functionalities of aradio device 1500 which operates according to the method of FIG. 14. Asillustrated, the radio device 1500 may be provided with a module 1510configured to receive control information, such as explained inconnection with step 1410. Further, the radio device 1500 may beprovided with a module 1520 configured to control receiving of data,such as explained in connection with step 1420.

It is noted that the radio device 1500 may include further modules forimplementing other functionalities, such as known functionalities of aUE supporting the LTE technology. Further, it is noted that the modulesof the radio device 1500 do not necessarily represent a hardwarestructure of the radio device 1500, but may also correspond tofunctional elements, e.g., implemented by hardware, software, or acombination thereof.

Further, it is to be understood that the methods of FIGS. 10, 12, and 14may be combined with each other. For example, the same node of thewireless communication network could operate according to the methods ofboth FIG. 10 and FIG. 12. Further, methods could be combined in a systemincluding a node operating according to the method of FIG. 10 and/orFIG. 12 and one or more radio devices operating according to the methodof FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates a processor-based implementation of node 1600 for awireless communication network. The node 1600 may be used forimplementing the above described concepts. The node 1600 may correspondto the node operating according to the method of FIG. 10 or 12, such asthe above-mentioned access node 100.

As illustrated, the node 1600 may include a radio interface 1610 forconnecting to one or more radio device, such as the above-mentioned UEs10, 11 or the radio device in the method of FIG. 14. The radio interfacemay for example be used for sending the above-mentioned DL controlchannel or data channel. Further, the node 1600 may include a networkinterface 1620 for connecting to one or more other nodes of the wirelesscommunication network. The network interface 1620 may for example beused for establishing a backhaul connection of the node.

Further, the node 1600 may include one or more processors 1650 coupledto the interfaces 1610, 1620 and a memory 1660 coupled to theprocessor(s) 1650. By way of example, the interfaces 1610, 1620 theprocessor(s) 1650, and the memory 1660 could be coupled by one or moreinternal bus systems of the node 1600. The memory 1660 may include aRead Only Memory (ROM), e.g., a flash ROM, a Random Access Memory (RAM),e.g., a Dynamic RAM (DRAM) or Static RAM (SRAM), a mass storage, e.g., ahard disk or solid state disk, or the like. As illustrated, the memory1660 may include software 1670, firmware 1680, and/or control parameters1690. The memory 1660 may include suitably configured program code to beexecuted by the processor(s) 1650 so as to implement the above-describedfunctionalities of a wireless communication network node, such asexplained in connection with FIG. 10 or 12. This program code may bestored as part of the software 1670 and/or as part of the firmware 1680.Further, this program code may operate using one or more of the controlparameters 1690.

It is to be understood that the structures as illustrated in FIG. 16 aremerely schematic and that the node 1600 may actually include furthercomponents which, for the sake of clarity, have not been illustrated,e.g., further interfaces or processors. Also, it is to be understoodthat the memory 1660 may include further program code for implementingknown functionalities of a wireless communication network node, e.g.,known functionalities of an eNB of the LTE technology or of a 5G accessnode. According to some embodiments, also a computer program may beprovided for implementing functionalities of the node 1600, e.g., in theform of a physical medium storing the program code and/or other data tobe stored in the memory 1660 or by making the program code available fordownload or by streaming.

FIG. 17 illustrates a processor-based implementation of a radio device1700 which may be used for implementing the above described concepts.The radio device 1700 may correspond to the radio device operatingaccording to the method of FIG. 14, such as the above-mentioned UE 10.

As illustrated, the radio device 1700 may include a radio interface 1710for connecting to a wireless communication network, e.g., via an accessnode of the wireless communication network, such as the above-mentionedaccess node 100 or the access node in the method of FIG. 10 or 12. Theradio interface may for example be used for receiving theabove-mentioned DL control channel or data channel.

Further, the radio device 1700 may include one or more processors 1750coupled to the radio interface 1710 and a memory 1760 coupled to theprocessor(s) 1750. By way of example, the radio interface 1710, theprocessor(s) 1750, and the memory 1760 could be coupled by one or moreinternal bus systems of the radio device 1700. The memory 1760 mayinclude a ROM, e.g., a flash ROM, a RAM, e.g., a DRAM or SRAM, a massstorage, e.g., a hard disk or solid state disk, or the like. Asillustrated, the memory 1760 may include software 1770, firmware 1780,and/or control parameters 1790. The memory 1760 may include suitablyconfigured program code to be executed by the processor(s) 1750 so as toimplement the above-described functionalities of a radio device, such asexplained in connection with FIG. 14. This program code may be stored aspart of the software 1770 and/or as part of the firmware 1780. Further,this program code may operate using one or more of the controlparameters 1790.

It is to be understood that the structures as illustrated in FIG. 17 aremerely schematic and that the radio device 1700 may actually includefurther components which, for the sake of clarity, have not beenillustrated, e.g., further interfaces or processors. Also, it is to beunderstood that the memory 1760 may include further program code forimplementing known functionalities of a radio device, e.g., knownfunctionalities of a UE supporting the LTE radio technology or a 5Gradio technology. According to some embodiments, also a computer programmay be provided for implementing functionalities of the radio device1700, e.g., in the form of a physical medium storing the program codeand/or other data to be stored in the memory 1760 or by making theprogram code available for download or by streaming.

As can be seen, the concepts as described above may be used forefficiently controlling radio transmissions in a wireless communicationnetwork. In particular, the radio resources assigned for transmission ofa data channel of one radio device may be efficiently coordinated withthe radio resources used for transmission of DL control channels toother radio devices. In this way, conflicting assignments or allocationsof radio resources may be avoided. In some situations, an overlappingassignment may be tolerated based on assessing potential interference.

It is to be understood that the examples and embodiments as explainedabove are merely illustrative and susceptible to various modifications.For example, the illustrated concepts may be applied in connection withvarious kinds of radio technologies, without limitation to theabove-mentioned examples of the LTE radio technology or a 5G radiotechnology. Further, the illustrated concepts may be applied inconnection with various kinds of data channels, including DL datachannels, device-to-device data channels, or wireless backhaul datachannels. Moreover, it is to be understood that the above concepts maybe implemented by using correspondingly designed software to be executedby one or more processors of an existing device, or by using dedicateddevice hardware. Further, it should be noted that the illustrated nodesmay each be implemented as a single device or as a system of multipleinteracting devices.

1-71. (canceled)
 72. A method in a node of a wireless communicationnetwork of controlling radio transmission in a wireless communicationnetwork, the method comprising: managing sending of downlink controlinformation to a user equipment, the downlink control informationcontrolling reception by the user equipment of a data channel which isbased on modulation using subcarriers from a first frequency subband anda second frequency subband, and the downlink control informationindicating, for the first frequency subband, a first start position fortransmission of the data channel, and, for a second frequency subband, asecond start position for transmission of the data channel, and based onthe first start position and the second start position, controllingtransmission of data on the data channel.
 73. The method according toclaim 72, further comprising selecting the first start position and thesecond start position depending on a time-frequency position of adownlink control channel for transmission of downlink controlinformation to at least one further user equipment.
 74. The methodaccording to claim 73, wherein said selecting comprises selecting thefirst start position and the second start position to avoid overlap ofthe data channel with the downlink control channel.
 75. The methodaccording to claim 72, wherein at least one of the first start positionand the second start position corresponds to a first modulation symbolof a transmission time interval.
 76. The method according to claim 72,wherein the downlink control information indicates the first startposition and the second start position in relation to an end of adownlink control channel.
 77. The method according to claim 72, whereinthe downlink control information indicates the first start position andthe second start position in terms of a selection from a set of multiplestart positions.
 78. The method according to claim 72, wherein thedownlink control information is conveyed by a downlink control channelto the user equipment.
 79. A method in a user equipment of controllingradio transmission in a wireless communication network, the methodcomprising: receiving downlink control information from the wirelesscommunication network, the downlink control information controllingreception by the user equipment of a data channel which is based onmodulation using subcarriers from a first frequency subband and a secondfrequency subband, and the downlink control information indicating, forthe first frequency subband, a first start position for transmission ofthe data channel and, for the second frequency subband, a second startposition for transmission of the data channel, and based on the firststart position and the second start position, controlling receiving ofdata on the data channel.
 80. The method according to claim 79, whereinat least one of the first start position and the second start positioncorresponds to a first modulation symbol of a transmission timeinterval.
 81. The method according to claim 79, wherein the downlinkcontrol information indicates the first start position and the secondstart position in relation to an end of a downlink control channel. 82.The method according to claim 79, wherein the downlink controlinformation indicates the first start position and the second startposition in terms of a selection from a set of multiple start positions.83. The method according to claim 79, wherein the downlink controlinformation is conveyed by a downlink control channel to the userequipment.
 84. The method according to claim 83, wherein the downlinkcontrol channel is a Physical Downlink Control Channel, PDCCH.
 85. Anode for a wireless communication network, the node comprising: one ormore processors and a memory, the memory including program codeexecutable by the one or more processors whereby the node is configuredto: manage sending of downlink control information to a user equipment,the downlink control information controlling reception by the userequipment of a data channel based on modulation using subcarriers from afirst frequency subband and a second frequency subband, and the downlinkcontrol information indicating, for the first frequency subband, a firststart position for transmission of the data channel and, for the secondfrequency subband, a second start position for transmission of the datachannel, and based on the first start position and the second startposition, control transmission of data on the data channel.
 86. The nodeaccording to claim 85, wherein the node is configured to select thefirst start position and the second start position depending on atime-frequency position of a downlink control channel for transmissionof downlink control information to at least one further user equipment.87. The node according to claim 86, wherein the node is configured toselect first start position and the second start position to avoidoverlap of the data channel with the downlink control channel.
 88. Thenode according to claim 85, wherein at least one of the first startposition and the second start position corresponds to a first modulationsymbol of a transmission time interval.
 89. The node according to claim85, wherein the downlink control information indicates the first startposition and the second start position in relation to an end of adownlink control channel.
 90. The node according to claim 85, whereinthe downlink control information indicates the first start position andthe second start position in terms of a selection from a set of multiplestart positions.
 91. The node according to claim 85, wherein thedownlink control information is conveyed by a downlink control channelto the user equipment.
 92. A user equipment comprising: one or moreprocessors and a memory, the memory including program code executable bythe one or more processors whereby the user equipment is configured to:receive downlink control information from a wireless communicationnetwork, the control information controlling reception by the userequipment of a data channel which is based on modulation usingsubcarriers from a first frequency subband and a second frequencysubband, and the downlink control information indicating, for the firstfrequency subband, a first start position for transmission of a datachannel and, for the second frequency subband, a second start positionfor transmission of the data channel, and based on the first startposition and the second start position, control receiving of data on thedata channel.
 93. The user equipment according to claim 92, wherein atleast one of the first start position and the second start positioncorresponds to a first modulation symbol of a transmission timeinterval.
 94. The user equipment according to claim 92, wherein thedownlink control information indicates the first start position and thesecond start position in relation to an end of a downlink controlchannel.
 95. The user equipment according to claim 92, wherein thedownlink control information indicates the first start position and thesecond start position in terms of a selection from a set of multiplestart positions.
 96. The user equipment according to claim 92, whereinthe downlink control information is conveyed by a downlink controlchannel to the user equipment.
 97. The user equipment according to claim96, wherein the downlink control channel is a Physical Downlink ControlChannel, PDCCH.